Summary
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia held James F. Sigwart in contempt for failing to comply with a prior disciplinary order and supervision agreement. The court immediately suspended his law license until he achieved full compliance with the order and agreement.
Holdings
- The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has authority to punish a party for contempt of an order it entered, and its orders must be promptly obeyed when it acts within its jurisdiction.
- Sigwart was in contempt for failing to comply with the June 25, 2003 order and supervision agreement, and immediate suspension of his law license until full compliance was an appropriate sanction.
Questions Presented
- Whether Sigwart violated the court's June 25, 2003 disciplinary order and accompanying supervision agreement.
- Whether Sigwart's noncompliance constituted contempt of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.
- Whether immediate suspension of Sigwart's law license until compliance was an appropriate sanction.
Disposition
other
Cases Cited (7)
- Committee on Legal Ethics of the West Virginia State Bar v. Blair, 174 W. Va. 494, 327 S.E.2d 671 (1984)(followed)
- State ex rel. Walker v. Giardina, 170 W. Va. 483, 294 S.E.2d 900 (1982)(followed)
- United Mine Workers of America v. Faerber, 179 W. Va. 73, 365 S.E.2d 353 (1986)(followed)
- State ex rel. Robinson v. Michael, 166 W. Va. 660, 276 S.E.2d 812 (1981)(followed)
- Committee on Legal Ethics of the West Virginia State Bar v. Charonis, 186 W. Va. 59, 410 S.E.2d 418 (1991)(followed)
- Committee on Legal Ethics of the West Virginia State Bar v. Farber, 191 W. Va. 667, 447 S.E.2d 602 (1994)(followed)
- Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel v. Cunningham, 200 W. Va. 339, 489 S.E.2d 496 (1997)(followed)
Cited In (0)
No citing cases on record yet.
Court Document
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